Fact check: Which extremist groups have been responsible for the most violent attacks in the US since 2020?

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that far-right extremist groups have been responsible for the majority of violent attacks in the US since 2020 ^[1]. According to the study removed by the DOJ, far-right extremists were responsible for 227 events that took over 520 lives, while far-left extremists committed 42 ideologically motivated attacks that took 78 lives ^[1]. Similarly, the Cato Institute study found that right-wing terrorists account for over half of the murders from political violence in the last five years, with 54% of the total ^[2]. In contrast, left-wingers account for 22% and Islamists account for 21% ^[2]. The sources also highlight the growing threat of domestic violent extremism, with the FBI reporting a significant increase in domestic terrorism investigations since 2020 ^[3]. Additionally, the sources note that the ongoing Iran conflict has created a heightened threat environment in the US, with a likelihood of low-level cyber attacks and potential attacks against US government officials ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some sources provide a more nuanced view of the threat landscape, highlighting the complexity of the issue and the need for a comprehensive approach to address it ^[5]. For example, the Homeland Threat Assessment 2025 notes that domestic violent extremists are motivated by various ideologies, including racial, religious, gender, and anti-government grievances ^[5]. Additionally, the source highlights the threat posed by transnational and domestic criminal actors involved in the production, trafficking, and sale of illegal drugs ^[5]. Other sources provide alternative viewpoints, such as the analysis of far-right violence extremism, which highlights the growing influence of white nationalist and anti-immigrant ideology ^[6]. However, some sources lack specific data or analysis on the topic, instead providing general information on the threat landscape ^[7]. Furthermore, the sources do not provide a clear breakdown of which extremist groups have been responsible for the most violent attacks in specific regions or communities, which could be an important consideration for policymakers and law enforcement agencies ^[7].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be biased towards a particular narrative or agenda, as it does not provide a comprehensive view of the threat landscape ^{[1] [2]}. The sources suggest that far-right extremist groups have been responsible for the majority of violent attacks, but this may not be the only factor at play ^{[1] [2]}. Additionally, the sources highlight the complexity of the issue and the need for a nuanced approach to address it, which may not be reflected in the original statement ^[5]. The removal of the study by the DOJ may also indicate potential political interference or bias ^[1]. The sources that provide alternative viewpoints, such as the analysis of far-right violence extremism, may be more focused on highlighting the threat posed by specific ideologies, rather than providing a comprehensive view of the threat landscape ^[6]. Overall, the original statement may benefit from a more nuanced and comprehensive approach, taking into account the complexity of the issue and the various factors at play ^{[1] [2] [5]}.